Photos: 2015 Festival of Colors

Photos: 2015 Festival of Colors

(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)


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SPANISH FORK — The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Lotus Temple in Spanish Fork held its annual Holi Festival Saturday, drawing thousands from across the region to celebrate spring and take part in a tradition that allows people to throw off the woes of winter and drench themselves in color.

The temple's color festivities are the most popular in the state and has made national headlines for its ability to bring masses of close to 80,000 to the temple grounds. The festival is a celebration of shared life.

After a short count, revelers throw colorful chalk dust as a way to "bury their hatchets with a warm embrace and throw their worries to the wind," according to the Lotus Temple website.

Musicians lead the crowd in the Maha Mantra: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare." It can be translated as "O Lord, O Energy of the Lord, please engage me in Your service," according to Krishna.com.

Hindus associate Holi with several legends, including that of Holika, the sister of Hiranya Kashipu — a demon king — who forbad his son from worshipping Vishnu.

"Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlad to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire," the Intercultural Engagement Center at the University of Florida wrote. "Prahlad accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived without a scar to show for it."

Thus, the burning of the effigy of Holika symbolizes the destruction of the demoness and the triumph of good over evil.

Additional festivals will be held in St. George, Salt Lake City and Ogden. See the website for more details.

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